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HESI A2 - READING COMPREHENSION EXAM 4 LATEST
2026/2027 | COMPARE & CONTRAST, MIXED SKILLS | 40
VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: COMPARE AND CONTRAST - Questions 1-15
Q1: Compare and Contrast - Passage 1
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body does not produce insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body does not use insulin properly. Both types of
diabetes result in high blood glucose levels, but they have different causes and treatments." How are
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes similar?
A. Both are autoimmune conditions
B. Both result in high blood glucose levels
C. Both are caused by insulin resistance
D. Both have the same treatment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states that both types result in high blood glucose levels. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Compare and Contrast - Passage 2
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "Both the heart and the lungs are vital organs that work together to deliver oxygen to the
body. The heart pumps blood, while the lungs exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. The heart is
located in the chest, slightly to the left, while the lungs are located on either side of the heart." How
are the heart and lungs different?
A. Both are vital organs
B. Both work together to deliver oxygen
C. The heart pumps blood, while the lungs exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
D. Both are located in the chest
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage states that the heart pumps blood while the lungs exchange oxygen and
carbon dioxide. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Compare and Contrast - Passage 3
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "Both arteries and veins are blood vessels that carry blood. Arteries carry oxygenated blood
away from the heart, while veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Arteries have thicker
walls than veins because they must withstand higher pressure." How are arteries and veins
different?
, 2
A. Both carry blood
B. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, while veins carry deoxygenated blood back
to the heart
C. Both have walls
D. Both have valves
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states that arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart while veins
carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Compare and Contrast - Passage 4
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "Skeletal muscle is voluntary and striated, meaning it is under conscious control and has a
striped appearance. Smooth muscle is involuntary and non-striated, meaning it is not under
conscious control and does not have a striped appearance. Both types of muscle are found in the
body and are responsible for movement." How are skeletal and smooth muscle similar?
A. Both are voluntary
B. Both are striated
C. Both are found in the body and responsible for movement
D. Both are involuntary
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage states that both types of muscle are found in the body and responsible for
movement. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Compare and Contrast - Passage 5
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "Both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are part of the autonomic
nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the 'fight or flight' response,
while the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for 'rest and digest' functions. They work
together to maintain homeostasis." What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?
A. Fight or flight
B. Rest and digest
C. Increase heart rate
D. Dilate pupils
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states that the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for "rest and
digest" functions. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Compare and Contrast - Passage 6
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "Both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system are part of the
nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral
nervous system consists of all the nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord. They work
together to control all body functions." What does the central nervous system consist of?
HESI A2 - READING COMPREHENSION EXAM 4 LATEST
2026/2027 | COMPARE & CONTRAST, MIXED SKILLS | 40
VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: COMPARE AND CONTRAST - Questions 1-15
Q1: Compare and Contrast - Passage 1
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body does not produce insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body does not use insulin properly. Both types of
diabetes result in high blood glucose levels, but they have different causes and treatments." How are
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes similar?
A. Both are autoimmune conditions
B. Both result in high blood glucose levels
C. Both are caused by insulin resistance
D. Both have the same treatment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states that both types result in high blood glucose levels. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Compare and Contrast - Passage 2
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "Both the heart and the lungs are vital organs that work together to deliver oxygen to the
body. The heart pumps blood, while the lungs exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. The heart is
located in the chest, slightly to the left, while the lungs are located on either side of the heart." How
are the heart and lungs different?
A. Both are vital organs
B. Both work together to deliver oxygen
C. The heart pumps blood, while the lungs exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
D. Both are located in the chest
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage states that the heart pumps blood while the lungs exchange oxygen and
carbon dioxide. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Compare and Contrast - Passage 3
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "Both arteries and veins are blood vessels that carry blood. Arteries carry oxygenated blood
away from the heart, while veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Arteries have thicker
walls than veins because they must withstand higher pressure." How are arteries and veins
different?
, 2
A. Both carry blood
B. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, while veins carry deoxygenated blood back
to the heart
C. Both have walls
D. Both have valves
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states that arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart while veins
carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Compare and Contrast - Passage 4
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "Skeletal muscle is voluntary and striated, meaning it is under conscious control and has a
striped appearance. Smooth muscle is involuntary and non-striated, meaning it is not under
conscious control and does not have a striped appearance. Both types of muscle are found in the
body and are responsible for movement." How are skeletal and smooth muscle similar?
A. Both are voluntary
B. Both are striated
C. Both are found in the body and responsible for movement
D. Both are involuntary
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage states that both types of muscle are found in the body and responsible for
movement. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Compare and Contrast - Passage 5
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "Both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are part of the autonomic
nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the 'fight or flight' response,
while the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for 'rest and digest' functions. They work
together to maintain homeostasis." What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?
A. Fight or flight
B. Rest and digest
C. Increase heart rate
D. Dilate pupils
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states that the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for "rest and
digest" functions. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Compare and Contrast - Passage 6
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "Both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system are part of the
nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral
nervous system consists of all the nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord. They work
together to control all body functions." What does the central nervous system consist of?
